Getting Your Kid’s First Bike — The Most Important Factors to Consider

Most of us remember our bikes fondly. They are, after all, the first vehicles we’ve ever owned. And like any good parent, we want to share the best parts of our childhood with our children. If this entails getting your kids their very first bike, then you’ve definitely come to the right place.

Buying a bike is similar to buying a car, except that there’s no paperwork involved and well, it doesn’t really cost a lot compared to a car. But there some unwritten factors that have to be considered nonetheless — here are some of them:1. Your Kid’s AgeThis is the most important factor because it determines two things: a) Whether you can even buy a bike for your childb) The type of bike you’re going to buy

Generally, children can begin learning how to ride the bike at 2 years old and above. If you have a toddler, then you’re going to want to choose from a wide variety of balance bikes for your kid.

2. The Bike’s Frame

You’re going to have to see things through your child’s perspective. While stainless steel frames may be easy for adults to ride on, they may be extremely heavy for kids to operate. Aluminum is lighter than steel and it’s almost just as sturdy. With this in mind, your kid’s first bike should have an aluminum frame.

3. Gears and Brakes

You’ll be surprised to learn that brakes aren’t necessary in children’s bikes. The reason for this is that children’s bikes are geared differently from those of adults. Children won’t be traveling in excess of 2 mph, so they won’t really need that extra boost from their bike’s transmission. Apart from that, kids may not even have the grip strength to activate the brakes so you’d be spending extra dollars on a feature that might not even be used. Remember, this is your kid’s first bike — you can upgrade to these extra features as they get older.

4. Safety Gear

While these aren’t necessarily part of your kid’s bike, they are the most important things you should consider when buying your kid’s first bike. Nothing discourages a child more than the fear of injury. It’s always better to be on the safe side of things, especially when you’re dealing with any type of vehicle. Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are the essential gear to consider.

5. The Test DriveThe test drive for bikes is just as important as that for cars. It’s for this reason that you should always bring your child along to buy his or her first bike. Is your child comfortable with the bike? The same goes for the safety equipment that you’re going to be buying for your child. Do they allow for full range of motion? Do they fit well? And do they protect the areas that they’re meant to protect? This part is the most essential because it’s during the test drive that you are able to observe every detail of whether or not your child likes the bike, because after all, that too is important.